Medicine:List of medical roots, suffixes and prefixes

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This is a list of roots, suffixes, and prefixes used in medical terminology, their meanings, and their etymologies. Most of them are combining forms in Neo-Latin and hence international scientific vocabulary. There are a few general rules about how they combine. First, prefixes and suffixes, most of which are derived from ancient Greek or classical Latin, have a droppable vowel, usually -o-. As a general rule, this vowel almost always acts as a joint-stem to connect two consonantal roots (e.g. arthr- + -o- + -logy = arthrology), but generally, the -o- is dropped when connecting to a vowel-stem (e.g. arthr- + -itis = arthritis, instead of ). Second, medical roots generally go together according to language, i.e., Greek prefixes occur with Greek suffixes and Latin prefixes with Latin suffixes. Although international scientific vocabulary is not stringent about segregating combining forms of different languages, it is advisable when coining new words not to mix different lingual roots.

Prefixes and suffixes

The following is an alphabetical list of medical prefixes and suffixes, along with their meanings, origins, and English examples.

A

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
a-, an-	not, without (alpha privative)	Greek ἀ-/ἀν- (a-/an-), not, without	analgesic, apathy, anencephaly
ab-	from; away from	Latin	abduction, abdomen
abdomin-	of or relating to the abdomen	Latin abdōmen, abdomen, fat around the belly	abdomen, abdominal
-ac	pertaining to; one afflicted with	Greek -ακός (-akós)	cardiac, celiac
acanth-	thorn or spine	Greek ἄκανθα (ákantha), thorn	acanthion, acanthocyte, acanthoma, acanthulus
acou-	of or relating to hearing	Greek ἀκούειν (akoúein), ἀκουστικός (akoustikós), of or for hearing	acoumeter, acoustician, hyperacusis
acr-	extremity, topmost	Greek ἄκρον (ákron), highest or farthest point	acrocrany, acromegaly, acroosteolysis, acroposthia, acrosome
-acusis	hearing	Greek ἀκουστικός (akoustikós), of or for hearing	paracusis
-ad	toward, in the direction of	Latin ad, toward, to	dorsad, ventrad
ad-	at, increase, on, toward	Latin ad-, to	adduction, addition
aden-	of or relating to a gland	Greek ἀδήν, ἀδέν-, (adḗn, adén-), an acorn; a gland	adenocarcinoma, adenology, adenotome, adenotyphus
adip-	of or relating to fat or fatty tissue	Latin adeps, adip-, fat	adipocyte
adren-	of or relating to the adrenal glands	Latin ad + rēnēs, kidneys	adrenal artery
-aemia, ema, hemat (BrE)	blood condition	Greek ἀναιμία (anaimía), without blood	anaemia
aer(o)-	air, gas	Greek ἀήρ, ἀέρος (aḗr, aéros)	aerosinusitis, aerodynamics
aesthesi- (BrE)	sensation	Greek αἴσθησις (aísthēsis)	anaesthesia
-al	pertaining to	Latin -alis	abdominal, femoral
alb-	denoting a white or pale color	Latin albus, white	albino, tunica albica
alge(si)-	pain	Greek ἄλγος (álgos)	analgesic
-algia, alg(i)o-	pain	Greek	myalgia
all-	denoting something as different, or as an addition	Greek ἄλλος (állos), another, other	alloantigen, allopathy
ambi-	denoting something as positioned on both sides; describing both of two	Latin ambi-, ambo, both, on both sides	ambidextrous
amnio-	Pertaining to the membranous fetal sac (amnion)	Greek ἄμνιον (ámnion)	amniocentesis
amph(i)-,	on both sides	Greek ἀμφί (amphí)	amphicrania, amphismela, amphomycin
amylo-	starchy, carbohydrate-related	Latin amylum (starch)	amylase, amylophagia
an-	not, without (alpha privative)	Greek	analgesia
ana-	back, again, up	Greek ἀνα- (ana-)	anaplasia
an-	anus	Latin	anal
andr-	pertaining to a man	Greek ἀνήρ, ἀνδρ- (anḗr, andr-), male	android, andrology, androgen
angi-	blood vessel	Greek ἀγγεῖον (angeîon)	angiogram, angioplasty
aniso-	describing something as unequal	Greek ἄνῑσος (ánīsos), unequal	anisocytosis, anisotropic
ankyl-, ancyl-	denoting something as crooked or bent	Greek ἀγκύλος (ankúlos), crooked, curved	ankylosis
ante-	describing something as positioned in front of another thing	Latin āntē, before, in front of	antepartum
anthropo-	human	Greek ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos), human	anthropology
anti-	describing something as 'against' or 'opposed to' another	Greek ἀντί (antí), against	antibody, antipsychotic
apo-	away, separated from, derived from	Greek ἀπό (apó)	apoptosis, apocrine
archi-	first, primitive	Greek ἀρχι- (arkhi-)	archinephron
arsen(o)-	of or pertaining to a male; masculine	Greek ἀρσενικός (arsenikós)	arsenoblast
arteri(o)-	of or pertaining to an artery	Greek ἀρτηρία (artēría), a wind-pipe, artery (used distinctly versus a vein)	arteriole, artery
arthr-	of or pertaining to the joints, limbs	Greek ἄρθρον (árthron), a joint, limb	arthritis
articul-	joint	Latin articulus	Articulation
-ary	pertaining to	Latin -arius	biliary tract, coronary
-ase	enzyme	from Greek διάστασις (δια- (dia-, part, apart) + στάσις (stásis, stand)), division	Lactase
-asthenia	weakness	Greek ἀσθένεια (asthéneia)	Myasthenia gravis
atel(o)-	imperfect or incomplete development	Greek ἀτελής (atelḗs), without end, incomplete	atelocardia
ather-	fatty deposit, soft gruel-like deposit	ἀθάρη (athárē)	Atherosclerosis
-ation	process	Latin	medication, civilization
atri-	an atrium (esp. heart atrium)	Latin	atrioventricular
aur-	of or pertaining to the ear	Latin auris, the ear	Aural
aut-	self	Greek αὐτός, αὐτο- (autós, auto-)	Autoimmune, autograph, autobiography, automobile, automatic
aux(o)-	increase; growth	Greek αὐξάνω, αὔξω (auxánō, aúxō)	Auxocardia: enlargement of the heart, auxology
axill-	of or pertaining to the armpit (uncommon as a prefix)	Latin axilla, armpit	Axilla
azo(to)-	nitrogenous compound	French azote, nitrogen; from Greek άζωτικός (ázōtikós) ἀ- (a-, no, without) + ζωή (zōḗ, life)), mephitic air	azothermia: raised temperature due to nitrogenous substances in blood

B

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
bacillus	rod-shaped	Latin baculus, stick	Bacillus anthracis
bacteri-	Pertaining to bacteria	Latin bacterium; Greek βακτήριον (baktḗrion), small staff	bacteriophage, bactericide
balan-	of the glans penis or glans clitoridis	Greek βάλανος (bálanos), acorn, glans	balanitis
bas-	of or pertaining to base	Greek βάσις (básis), foundation, base	basolateral
bi-	twice, double	Latin bi-	binary vision, bicycle, bisexual
bio-	life	Greek βίος (bíos)	biology, biological
blast-	germinate or bud	Greek βλαστός (blastós)	blastomere
blephar(o)-	of or pertaining to the eyelid	Greek βλέφαρον (blépharon), eyelid	blepharoplasty
brachi(o)-	of or relating to the arm	Latin bracchium, from Greek βραχίων (brakhíōn), arm	brachium of inferior colliculus
brachy-	indicating 'short' or less commonly 'little'	Greek βραχύς (brakhús), short, little, shallow	brachycephalic
brady-	slow	Greek βραδύς (bradús), slow	bradycardia, bradyzoite
bronch(i)-	of or relating to the bronchus	Latin bronchus; Greek βρόγχος (brónkhos), windpipe	bronchitis, bronchiolitis obliterans
bucc(o)-	of or pertaining to the cheek	Latin bucca, cheek	buccolabial
burs(o)-	bursa (fluid sac between the bones)	Latin bursa, purse; Greek βύρσα (búrsa), hide, wine-skin	bursa, bursitis

C

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
capill-	of or pertaining to hair	Latin capillus, hair	capillus
capit-	pertaining to the head as a whole	Latin caput, capit-, the head	capitation, decapitation
carcin-	cancer	Greek καρκίνος (karkínos), crab	carcinoma
cardi-	of or pertaining to the heart	Greek καρδία (kardía), heart	cardiology
carp-	of or pertaining to the wrist	Latin carpus < Greek καρπός (karpós), wrist; NOTE: This root should not be confused with the mirror root carp(o)- meaning fruit.	carpal, carpopedal spasm, metacarpal
cata-	down, under	Greek κατά (katá)	catabolism, catacombs, cataract
-cele	pouching, hernia	Greek κήλη (kḗlē)	hydrocele, varicocele
-centesis	surgical puncture for aspiration	Greek κέντησις (kéntēsis)	amniocentesis
cephal(o)-	of or pertaining to the head (as a whole)	Greek κεφαλή (kephalḗ), the head	cephalalgy, hydrocephalus
cerat(o)-	of or pertaining to the cornu; a horn	Greek κέρας, κερατ- (kéras, kerat-), a horn	ceratoid
cerebell(o)-	of or pertaining to the cerebellum	Latin cerebellum, little brain	cerebellum
cerebr(o)-	of or pertaining to the brain	Latin cerebrum, brain	cerebrology
cervic-	of or pertaining to the neck or the cervix	Latin cervix, cervīc-), neck, cervix	cervical vertebrae, cervicodorsal
cheil-	of or pertaining to the lips	Greek χεῖλος (kheîlos), lip, mouth, beak	angular cheilitis
chem(o)-	chemistry, drug	Greek χημεία (khēmeía)	chemical, chemistry, chemotherapy
chir-, cheir-	of or pertaining to the hand	Greek χείρ, χειρο- (kheír, kheiro-), hand	chiropractor
chlor-	denoting a green color	Greek χλωρός (khlōrós), green, yellow-green	chlorophyll
bil(i)-, chol(e)-	of or pertaining to bile	Greek χολή (kholḗ), bile	cholaemia (UK) / cholemia (US), cholecystitis
cholecyst(o)-	of or pertaining to the gallbladder	Greek χοληκύστις (kholēkústis), gallbladder < χολή (kholḗ), bile, gall + κύστις (kústis), bladder	cholecystectomy
chondr(i)o-	cartilage, gristle, granule, granular	Greek χονδρός (grc)	chondrocalcinosis
chrom(ato)-	color	Greek χρῶμα (khrôma)	hemochromatosis
-cidal, -cide	killing, destroying	Latin -cīda, cutter, killer	bacteriocidal, suicide, suicidal
cili-	of or pertaining to the cilia, the eyelashes; eyelids	Latin cilium, eyelash; eyelid	ciliary
circum-	denoting something as 'around' another	Latin circum, around	circumcision
cis-	on this side	Latin cis	cisgender
-clast	break	Greek κλαστός (klastós), broken	osteoclast
clostr-	spindle	Greek κλωστήρ (klōstḗr), spindle, thread	Clostridium
co-	with, together, in association	Latin co-	coenzymes, co-organization
-coccus, ‑coccal	round, spherical	Greek κόκκος (kókkos), berry, seed	Streptococcus
col-, colo-, colono-	colon	Greek κόλον (kólon)	colonoscopy
colp-	of or pertaining to the vagina	Greek κόλπος (kólpos), bosom, womb; hollow, depth	colposcopy
com-	with, together	Latin cum	communicate
contra-	against	Latin contrā	contraindication
cor-	with, together	Latin cor-	corrective
cor-	of or pertaining to the eye's pupil	Greek κόρη (kórē), girl, doll; pupil of the eye	corectomy
cord(i)-	of or pertaining to the heart (uncommon as a prefix)	Latin cor, heart	commotio cordis,
cornu-	applied to describing processes and parts of the body as likened or similar to horns	Latin cornū, horn	greater cornu
coron-	pertaining to the heart	Latin corōna	coronary heart disease
cortic-	cortex, outer region	Latin cortex, bark of a tree	corticosteroid
cost-	of or pertaining to the ribs	Latin costa, rib	costochondral
cox-	of or relating to the hip, haunch, or hip-joint	Latin coxa, hip	coxopodite
crani(o)-	belonging or relating to the cranium	Latin cranium, from Greek κρᾱνίον (krāníon), cranium, skull, bones enclosing the brain	craniology
-crine, crin(o)-	to secrete	Greek κρίνω (krínō), separate, divide, discern	endocrine
cry(o)-	cold	Greek κρύος (krúos), cold, frost	cryoablation, cryogenic
cutane-	skin	Latin cutis	subcutaneous
cyan(o)-	having a blue color	Greek κύανος, κυάνεος (kúanos, kuáneos, blue, of the color blue)	cyanopsia, cyanosis
cycl-	circle, cycle	Greek κύκλος (kúklos)	cyclosis, cyclops, tricycle
cyph(o)-	denotes something as bent (uncommon as a prefix)	Greek κυφός (kuphós), bent, hunchback	cyphosis
cyst(o)-, cyst(i)-	of or pertaining to the urinary bladder	Greek κύστις (kústis), bladder, cyst	cystotomy
cyt(o)-, -cyte	cell	Greek κύτος (kútos), a hollow, vessel	cytokine, leukocyte, cytoplasm

D

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
dacry(o)-	of or pertaining to tears	Greek δάκρυ, tear	dacryoadenitis, dacryocystitis
-dactyl(o)-	of or pertaining to a finger, toe	Greek δάκτυλος (dáktulos), finger, toe	dactylology, polydactyly
de-	from, down, or away from	Latin de-	dehydrate, demonetize, demotion
dent-	of or pertaining to teeth	Latin dens, dentis, tooth	dentifrice, dentist, dentition, dental
dermat(o)-, derm(o)-	of or pertaining to the skin	Greek δέρμα, δέρματος (dérma, dérmatos), skin, human skin	dermatology, epidermis, hypodermic, xeroderma
-desis	binding	Greek δέσις (désis)	arthrodesis
dextr(o)-	right, on the right side	Latin dexter	dextrocardia
di-	two	Greek δι-	diplopia,
di-	apart, separation	Latin dis-	dilation, distal, dilute
dia-	through, during, across	Greek διά (diá), through, during, across	dialysis
dif-	apart, separation	Latin dif-	different
digit-	of or pertaining to the finger [rare as a root]	Latin digitus, finger, toe	digit
diplo-	twofold	Greek διπλόος (diplóos)	diploid, diplosis
-dipsia	(condition of) thirst	Greek δίψα (dípsa)	dipsomania, hydroadipsia, oligodipsia, polydipsia
dis-	separation, taking apart	Latin dis-	dissection
dors(o)-, dors(i)-	of or pertaining to the back	Latin dorsum, back	dorsal, dorsocephalad
dromo-	running, conduction, course	Greek δρόμος (drómos)	dromotropic, syndrome
duodeno-	twelve	Latin duodeni	duodenal atresia, duodenum
dura-	hard	Latin durus	dura mater
dynam(o)-	force, energy, power	Greek δύναμις (dúnamis)	hand strength dynamometer, dynamics
-dynia	pain	Greek ὀδύνη (odúnē)	vulvodynia
dys-	bad, difficult, defective, abnormal	Greek δυσ- (dus-)	dysentery, dysphagia, dysphasia

E

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
-eal (see -al)	pertaining to	English -al, from Latin -ālis	adenohypophyseal, corneal, esophageal, perineal
ec-	out, away	Greek ἐκ (ek), out of, from	ectopia, ectopic pregnancy
ect(o)-	outer, outside	Greek ἐκτός (ektós)	ectoblast, ectoderm, ectoplasm
-ectasia, -ectasis	expansion, dilation	Greek ἔκτασις (éktasis)	bronchiectasis, telangiectasia
-ectomy	denotes a surgical operation or removal of a body part; resection, excision	Greek ἐκτομή (ektomḗ), excision	mastectomy
-emesis	vomiting condition	Greek ἕμεσις (hémesis)	hematemesis
-emia	blood condition (Am. Engl.)	Greek αἷμα (haîma), "blood"	anemia
encephal(o)-	of or pertaining to the brain; see also cerebro-	Greek ἐγκέφαλος (enképhalos), the brain	encephalogram
endo-	denotes something as inside or within	Greek ἔνδον (éndon), inside, internal	endocrinology, endospore, endoskeleton
eosin(o)-	having a red color	Greek ἠώς (ēṓs), dawn, daybreak, morning red, goddess of the dawn (Ἠώς, Ēṓs)	eosinophil granulocyte
enter(o)-	of or pertaining to the intestine	Greek ἔντερον (énteron), intestine	gastroenterology
epi-	on, upon	Greek ἐπι- (epi-), before, upon, on, outside, outside of	epicardium, epidermis, epidural, episclera, epistaxis, epidemic
episi(o)-	of or pertaining to the pubic region, the loins	Greek ἐπίσιον (epísion), the pubic area, loins; vulva	episiotomy
erythr(o)-	having a red color	Greek ἐρυθρός (eruthrós), red	erythrocyte
-esophageal, -esophago-	gullet (AmE)	Greek οἰσοφάγος (oisophágos)	esophagus
esthesio-	sensation (AmE)	Greek αἴσθησις (aísthēsis), to perceive	esthesioneuroblastoma, esthesia
eu-	true, good, well, normal	εὖ (eû)	eukaryote, euglycemia
ex-	out of, away from, to remove	Latin ex-	excision, exsanguination
exo-	denotes something as "outside" another	Greek ἔξω (éxō), outside of, external	exophthalmos, exoskeleton, exoplanet
extra-	outside	Latin extra, outside of, beyond	extradural hematoma extraordinary, extreme

F

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
faci-	of or pertaining to the face	Latin faciēs, the face, countenance	facioplegic, facial
fibr-	fiber	Latin fibra, fiber, filament, entrails	fibril, fibrin, fibrinous pericarditis, fibroblast, fibrosis
fil-	fine, hair-like	Latin fīlum, thread	filament, filum terminale
foramen	hole, opening, or aperture, particularly in bone	Latin forāmen	foramen magnum
-form	used to form adjectives indicating "having the form of"	Latin fōrma, form, shape	cruciform, cuneiform, falciform
fore-	before or ahead	Old English fōr(e)-, before, in front of	foregut, foreshadow
fossa	a hollow or depressed area; a trench or channel	Latin fossa, ditch, pit	fossa ovalis
front-	of or pertaining to the forehead	Latin frōns, front-, the forehead	frontonasal

G

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
galact-	milk	Greek γάλα, γαλακτ- (gála, galakt-)	galactorrhea, galaxy
gastr-	of or pertaining to the stomach	Greek γαστήρ, γαστρ- (gastḗr, gastr-), stomach, belly	gastroenterology, gastropod
-gen	*born in, from of a certain kind	Greek -γενής (-genḗs), from γεν-νάειν (gen-náein), to be born	*endogen heterogenous
-genic	formative; pertaining to producing	Greek -γενής (-genḗs)	cardiogenic shock
genu-	of or pertaining to the knee	Latin genū, knee	genu valgum
-geusia	taste	Greek γεῦσις (geûsis)	ageusia, dysgeusia, hypergeusia, hypogeusia, parageusia
gingiv-	of or pertaining to the gums	Latin gingīva, gum	gingivitis
glauc(o)-	Having a grey or bluish-grey colour	Greek γλαυκός (glaukós), grey, bluish-grey	glaucoma
gloss(o)-, glott(o)-	of or pertaining to the tongue	Greek γλῶσσα, γλῶττα (glôssa, glôtta), tongue	glossology
gluco-	sweet	Greek γλυκύς (glukús), sweet	glucocorticoid, glucose
glyc-	sugar	Greek γλυκύς (glukús), sweet	glycolysis
gnath-	of or pertaining to the jaw	Greek γνάθος (gnáthos), jaw	gnathodynamometer
-gnosis	knowledge	Greek γνῶσις (gnôsis), inquiry, knowledge	diagnosis, prognosis
gon-	seed, semen; reproductive	Greek γόνος (gónos), fruit, seed, procreating	gonorrhea
-gram, -gramme	record or picture	Greek γράμμα (grámma), picture, letter, writing	angiogram, gramophone
-graph	instrument used to record data or picture	Greek -γραφία (-graphía), written, drawn, graphic interpretation	electrocardiograph, seismograph
-graphy	process of recording	Greek -γραφία (-graphía), written, drawn, graphic interpretation	angiography
gyno-, gynaeco- (BrE), gyneco- (AmE)	woman	Greek γυνή, γυναικ (gunḗ, gunaik)	gynaecology, gynecomastia, gynoecium

H

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
halluc-	to wander in mind	Latin ālūcinor, to wander in mind	hallucinosis, hallucination
hem(at)-, haem(ato)-	of or pertaining to blood	Latin hæma , from Greek αἷμα, αἱματ- (grc), blood	hematology, older form haematology
hema-, hemo-	blood (AmE)	Greek αἷμα, (grc), blood	hemal, hemoglobin
hemangi(o)-	blood vessels	Greek αἷμα, (grc), blood, + ἀγγεῖον (angeîon), vessel, urn	hemangioma
hemi-	one-half	Greek ἡμι- (hēmi-), half	cerebral hemisphere
hepat-, hepatic-	of or pertaining to the liver	Greek ἧπαρ, ἠπᾰτ- (hêpar, ēpat-), the liver	hepatology, hepatitis
heter(o)-	denotes something as "the other" (of two), as an addition, or different	Greek ἕτερος (héteros), the other (of two), another; different	heterogeneous
hidr(o)-	sweat	Greek ἱδρώς, ἱδρωτ- (hidrṓs, hidrōt-), sweat, perspiration	hyperhidrosis
hist(o)-, histio-	tissue	Greek ἱστός (histós), web, tissue	histology
home(o)-	similar	Greek ὅμοιος (homoios), like, resembling, similar	homeopathy
hom(o)-	denotes something as "the same" as another or common	Greek ὁμός (homós), the same, common	homosexuality, homozygote, homophobic
humer(o)-	of or pertaining to the shoulder (or [rarely] the upper arm)	Latin umerus, shoulder	humerus
hydr(o)-	water	Greek ὕδωρ (húdōr), water	hydrophobe, hydrogen
hyper-	extreme or beyond normal	Greek ὑπέρ (hupér), over, above; beyond, to the extreme	hypertension, hypertrichosis
hyp(o)-	below normal	Greek ὑπό, ὑπο- (hupó), below, under	hypovolemia, hypoxia
hyster(o)-	of or pertaining to the womb or the uterus	Greek ὑστέρα (hustéra), womb	hysterectomy, hysteria

I

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
-iasis	condition, formation, or presence of	Latin -iasis, pathological condition or process; from Greek ἴασις (íasis), cure, repair, mend	mydriasis
iatr(o)-	of or pertaining to medicine or a physician (uncommon as a prefix but common as a suffix; see -iatry)	Greek ἰατρός (iatrós), healer, physician	iatrochemistry, iatrogenesis
-iatry	denotes a field in medicine emphasizing a certain body component	Greek ἰατρός (iatrós), healer, physician	podiatry, psychiatry
-ic	pertaining to	Greek -ικός (-ikós)	hepatic artery
-ics	organized knowledge, treatment	Latin -icus, collection of related things, theme; cognate with Greek -ικός (ikós), of, pertaining to	obstetrics
idio-	self, one's own	Greek ἴδιος (ídios), one's own	idiopathic
ileo-	ileum	Greek εἰλεός (eileós), to shut in, intestinal obstruction	ileocecal valve
infra-	below	Latin īnfrā, below	infrahyoid muscles
inter-	between, among	Latin inter	interarticular ligament
intra-	within	Latin intrā	intramural
ipsi-	same	Latin ipsi-	ipsilateral
irid(o)-	of or pertaining to the iris	Latin īrīs, rainbow; from Greek ἶρις (îris), rainbow	iridectomy
isch-	restriction	Greek ἴσχω (ískhō), hold back, restrain	ischemia
ischio-	of or pertaining to the ischium, the hip-joint	Greek ἰσχίον (iskhíon), hip-joint, ischium	ischioanal fossa
-ine	of or pertaining to	Latin -īnus, of or pertaining to; cognate with Greek -ινος, added to form adjectives relating to material, time, and so on	morphine, masculine/​feminine
-ism	condition, disease	Greek -ισμός (-ismós), suffix forming abstract nouns of state, condition, doctrine	dwarfism
-ismus	spasm, contraction	Greek -ισμός	hemiballismus
iso-	denoting something as being equal	Greek ἴσος (ísos), equal	isotonic
-ist	one who specializes in	Greek -ιστής (-istḗs), agent noun, one who practices	pathologist
-ite	the nature of, resembling	Latin -ītēs, those belonging to, from Greek -ίτης (-ítēs)	dendrite
-itis	inflammation	Greek -ῖτις (-îtis) fem. form of -ίτης (-ítēs), pertaining to, because it was used with the feminine noun νόσος (nósos, disease), thus -îtis nósos, disease of the, disease pertaining to	tonsillitis
-ium	structure, tissue	Latin -ium, aggregation or mass of (such as tissue)	pericardium

J–K

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
juxta-	near to, alongside, or next to	Latin iuxta	juxtaglomerular apparatus
kal-	potassium	New Latin kalium, potassium	hyperkalemia
kary-	nucleus	Greek κάρυον (káruon), nut	eukaryote
kerat-	cornea (eye or skin)	Greek κέρας (kéras), horn	keratoscope
kine-	movement	Greek κινέω (kinéō), to move, to change	akinetopsia, kinesthesia
koil-	hollow	Greek κοῖλος (koîlos)	koilocyte
kyph-	humped	Greek κυφός (kuphós), bent forward, stooping, hunchbacked	kyphoscoliosis

L

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
labi-	of or pertaining to the lip	Latin labia, labium, lip	labiodental
lacrim(o)-	tear	Latin lacrima, tear from crying	Lacrimal canaliculi
lact(i)-, lact(o)	milk	Latin lac, milk	lactation, lactose
lapar(o)-	of or pertaining to the abdominal wall, flank	Greek λαπάρα (lapára), flank	laparotomy
laryng(o)-	of or pertaining to the larynx, the lower throat cavity where the voice box is	Greek λᾰ́ρυγξ, (lárunx), throat, gullet	larynx
latero-	lateral	Latin laterālis, lateral, of or belonging to the side	lateral pectoral nerve
lei(o)-	smooth	Greek λεῖος (leîos), smooth	leiomyoma
-lepsis, -lepsy	attack, seizure	Greek λῆψις (lêpsis), seizure	epilepsy, narcolepsy
lept(o)-	light, slender	Greek λεπτός (leptós), thin, lean	leptomeningeal
leuc(o)-, leuk(o)-	denoting a white color	Greek λευκός (leukós), white, bright, pale	leukocyte
lingu(a)-, lingu(o)-	of or pertaining to the tongue	Latin lingua, tongue, speech, language	linguistics
lip(o)-	fat	Greek λίπος (lípos), fat, lard	liposuction
liss(os)-	smooth	Greek Λισσός (Lissós), smooth	lissencephaly
lith(o)-	stone, calculus	Greek λῐ́θος (líthos)	lithotripsy
log(o)-	speech	Greek λόγος (lógos)	dialog, catalog, logos
-logist	denotes someone who studies a certain field (the field of _____-logy); a specialist; one who treats	Greek λογιστής (logistḗs), studier, practitioner (lit., accountant)	oncologist, pathologist
-logy	denotes the academic study or practice of a certain field; the study of	Greek -λογῐ́ᾱ (-logíā) base noun for the study of something	hematology, urology
lumb(o)-, lumb(a)-	of or relating to the part of the trunk between the lowest ribs and the pelvis.	Latin lumbus or lumbaris, loin	lumbar vertebrae
lymph(o)-	lymph	Latin lympha, water	lymphedema
lys(o)-, -lytic	dissolution	Greek λῠ́σῐς (lúsis), loosen, release, + -ic	lysosome
-lysis	destruction, separation	Greek λῠ́σῐς (lúsis), loosen, release	paralysis

M

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
macr(o)-	large, long	Greek μᾰκρός (makrós), long, tall	macrophage
-malacia	softening	Greek μαλακία (malakía), soft, weak, self-indulgent	osteomalacia
mamm(o)-	of or pertaining to the breast	Latin mamma, breast, udder	mammogram
mammill(o)-	of or pertaining to the nipple	Latin mammilla, nipple	mammillaplasty, mammillitis
manu-	of or pertaining to the hand	Latin manus, hand	manufacture
mast(o)-	of or pertaining to the breast	Greek μαστός (mastós), breast, woman's breast, man's pectoral muscle	mastectomy
meg(a)-, megal(o)-, -megaly	enlargement, million	Greek μέγᾰς (mégas), big, large, great, mighty	splenomegaly, megameter
melan(o)-	having a black color	Greek μέλᾱς, μελανο- (mélās, melano-), black, dark	melanin
melos	extremity	Greek μέλος (mélos), part of a body, limb, member	erythromelalgia
mening(o)-	membrane	Greek μῆνῐγξ (mêninx)	meninges, meningitis
men-	month, menstrual cycle	Greek μήν (mḗn), month	menopause, menorrhagia
mer(o)-	part	Greek μέρος (méros), part, component, region	merocrine, meroblastic
mes-	middle	Greek μέσος (mésos), middle, between, half	mesoderm, mesothelium
met, meta-	after, beside, beyond or change	Greek μετᾰ́ (metá), with, among, along with, in common with	metacarpal, metacarpus, metacromion, metanephros, metatheria
-meter	instrument used to measure or count	Greek μέτρον (métron), measure or property, something used to measure	sphygmomanometer, thermometer
-metry	process of measuring, -meter + -y (see -meter)	Greek μέτρον (métron)	optometry
metr-	pertaining to conditions or instruments of the uterus	Greek μήτρᾱ (mḗtrā), womb, uterus	metrorrhagia
micr-	millionth; denoting something as small, relating to smallness	Greek μῑκρός (mīkrós), small	microscope
milli-	thousandth	Latin mille, thousand	milliliter
mon-	single	Greek μονός (monós)	infectious mononucleosis
morph-	form, shape	Greek μορφή (morphḗ)	morphology
muscul(o)-	muscle	Latin mūsculus, muscle (lit. mouse-like, due to mouse-shaped appearance of some muscles; loanword from Greek μῦς (mûs), mouse, + Latin -culus, diminutive suffix)	musculoskeletal system
my(o)-	of or relating to muscle	Greek μῦς, μυ- (mûs, mu-), muscle, mouse, mussel	myoblast
myc(o)-	fungus	Greek μύκης, μυκητ- (múkēs, mukēt-), mushroom or fungus	onychomycosis
myel(o)-	of or relating to bone marrow or the spinal cord	Greek μυελός (muelós), marrow, bone-marrow	myelin sheath, myeloblast
myl(o)-	of or relating to molar teeth or the lower jaw	Greek μῠ́λη (múlē, mill, grind, molars	mylohyoid nerve
myri-	ten thousand	Greek μῡρῐ́ος (mūríos), innumerable, countless, infinite	myriad
myring(o)-	eardrum	Latin myringa, eardrum	myringotomy
myx(o)-	mucus	Greek μύξᾰ (múxa), mucus, nasal discharge	myxoma

N

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
nan(o)-	dwarf, small	Greek νᾶνος (nânos), dwarf	nanogram, nanosecond
narc(o)-	numb, sleep	Greek νάρκη (nárkē), numbess, torpor	narcolepsy
nas(o)-	of or pertaining to the nose	Latin nāsus, nose	nasal
nat(o)-	birth	Latin nātus, born, arisen, made	neonatology
necr(o)-	death	Greek νεκρός (nekrós), dead body, corpse, dying person	necrosis, necrotizing fasciitis
neo-	new	Greek νέος (néos), young, youthful, new, fresh	neoplasm
nephr(o)-	of or pertaining to the kidney	Greek νεφρός (nephrós), kidney	nephrology
nerv-	of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system (uncommon as a root: neuro- mostly always used)	Latin nervus, tendon, nerve; cognate with Greek νεῦρον (neûron), tendon, string, nerve	nerve, nervous system
neur-	of or pertaining to nerves and the nervous system	Greek νεῦρον (neûron), tendon, sinew, nerve	neurofibromatosis
noci-	pain, injury, hurt	Latin noceō	nociception
norm-, normo-	normal	Latin nōrma, norm or standard; lit. carpenter's square	normocapnia

O

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
ocul-	of or pertaining to the eye	Latin oculus, the eye	Oculist
odont-	of or pertaining to teeth	Greek ὀδούς, ὀδοντ- (odoús, odont-), tooth	orthodontist
odyn-	pain	Greek ὀδύνη (odúnē)	stomatodynia
-oesophageal, oesophago- (BrE)	gullet	Greek οἰσοφᾰ́γος (oisophágos)	oesophagus
-oid	resemblance to	Greek -ειδής (-eidḗs), like, connected to, pertaining to	Sarcoidosis
ole	small or little	Latin -olus, suffix to form a diminutive of the noun	arteriole
olig-	having little, having few	Greek ὀλῐ́γος (olígos), few	oligotrophy
om(o)-	shoulder	Greek ὦμος (ômos), shoulder	omoplate
-oma (singular), -omata (plural)	tumor, mass, fluid collection	Greek -μα (-ma), suffix added to verbs to form nouns indicating the result of a process or action; cf. English -tion	sarcoma, teratoma, mesothelioma
omphal(o)-	of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus	Greek ὀμφαλός (omphalós), navel, belly-button	omphalotomy
onco-	tumor, bulk, volume	Greek ὄγκος (ónkos)	oncology
-one			hormone
onych(o)-	of or pertaining to the nail (of a finger or toe)	Greek ὄνυξ, ὀνυχο- (ónux, onukho-), nail; claw; talon	onychophagy
oo-	of or pertaining to an (egg), a woman's egg, the ovum	Greek ᾠόν, ᾠο- (ōión, ōio-), egg, ovum	oogenesis
oophor(o)-	of or pertaining to the woman's (ovary)	Neoclassical Greek ᾠοφόρον (ōiophóron), ovary, egg-bearing	oophorectomy
ophthalm(o)-	of or pertaining to the (eye)	Greek ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmós), the eye	ophthalmology
opistho-	back, behind, rear	Greek ὄπῐσθεν (ópisthen), behind, at the back	opisthotonus
-opsy	examination or inspection	Greek ὄψῐς (ópsis), view	biopsy, autopsy
optic(o)-	of or relating to chemical properties of the eye	Middle French optique; from Greek ὀπτῐκός (optikós); cognate with Latin oculus, relating to the eye	opticochemical, biopsy
or(o)-	of or pertaining to the mouth	Latin ōs, ōris, mouth	oral
-or	one who, agent noun–forming suffix	generally appended where Latin would do it—to the root of a Latin-type perfect passive participle. Cf. -er	doctor
orchi(o)-, orchid(o)-, orch(o)-	testis	Greek ὄρχις (órkhis), testicle, ovary	orchiectomy, orchidectomy
orth(o)-	denoting something as straight or correct	Greek ὀρθός (orthós), straight, correct, normal	orthodontist
-osis	a condition, disease, process or increase	Greek -ωσις (-ōsis), state, abnormal condition, action	Harlequin type ichthyosis, psychosis, osteoporosis, phagocytosis
ossi-, osse-	bone, bony	Latin os, bone	peripheral ossifying fibroma, osseous
ost(e)-, oste(o)-	bone	Greek ὀστέον (ostéon), bone	osteoporosis, osteoarthritis
ot(o)-	of or pertaining to the ear	Greek οὖς, ὠτ- (oûs, ōt-), the ear	otology
-ous	pertaining to	Latin -ōsus, full of, prone to	porous
ovari(o)-	of or pertaining to the ovaries	Latin ōvarium, ovary	ovariectomy
ovo-, ovi-, ov-	of or pertaining to the eggs, the ovum	Latin ōvum, egg, ovum	ovogenesis
oxo-, ox/i	addition of oxygen
oxy-	sharp, acid, acute; oxygen	borrowed from French oxygène (originally principe oxigine, 'acidifying principle', referring to oxygen's role in the formation of acids, from Greek ὀξύς (oxús), sharp, pointed + γένος (génos), birth)	oxytocin, oxygenated, oxycodone

P

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
pachy-	thick	Greek πᾰχῠ́ς (pakhús), thick, large, stout	pachyderma, pachyderm
-pagus	Indicates conjoined twins, with the first part denoting the organs fused	Greek πάγος (págos), fixed, set, fastened	xiphopagus, parapagus dicephalus, craniopagus parasiticus
palpebr-	of or pertaining to the eyelid (uncommon as a root)	Latin palpebra, eyelid	palpebra
pan-, pant(o)-	denoting something as 'complete' or containing 'everything'; "all"	Greek πᾶς, παν- (pâs, pan-), all, every	panophobia, panopticon, pancytopenia (deficiency in all blood cell types - erythrocytes, leukocytes, thrombocytes)
papill-	of or pertaining to the nipple (of the chest/breast)	Latin papilla, nipple; diminutive of papula (see below)	papillitis
papul(o)-	Indicates papulosity, a small elevation or swelling in the skin, a pimple, swelling	Latin papula, pimple, pustle; a small elevation or swelling in the skin	papulation
para-	alongside of	Greek πᾰρᾰ́ (pará)	paracyesis
-paresis	slight paralysis	Greek πάρεσις (páresis)	hemiparesis
parvo-	small	Latin parvus, small, little, unimportant	Parvovirus
path(o)-	disease	Greek πᾰ́θος (páthos), pain, suffering, condition	Pathology
-pathy	denotes (with a negative sense) a disease, or disorder	Greek πᾰ́θος (páthos), suffering, accident	sociopathy, neuropathy
pauci-	Few	Latin paucus	Pauci-immune
pector-	breast or chest	Latin pectus	pectoralgia, pectoriloquy, pectorophony
ped-, -ped-, -pes	of or pertaining to the foot; -footed	Latin pēs, pēd-, foot	Pedoscope
ped-, pedo-	of or pertaining to the child	Greek παῖς, παιδός (paîs, paidós), child	pediatrics. pedophilia
pelv(i)-, pelv(o)-	hip bone	Latin pelvis, basin	Pelvis
-penia	deficiency	Greek πενῐ́ᾱ, poverty, indigence	osteopenia
peo-	of or pertaining to the penis	Greek πέος (péos)	Peotomy
-pepsia	denotes something relating to digestion, or the digestive tract.	Greek πεπτός (peptós), cooked, digested < πέσσω (péssō), I boil, cook; digest	dyspepsia
per-	through	Latin per, through, by means of	percutaneous
peri-	denoting something with a position 'surrounding' or 'around' another	Greek περῐ́ (perí), around, about, concerning	periodontal
-pexy	fixation	Greek πῆξις (pêxis), fixing in place, fastening	nephropexy
phaco-	lens-shaped	Greek φᾰκός (phakós), lentil-bean	phacolysis, phacometer, phacoscotoma
-phagia, -phage	Forms terms denoting conditions relating to eating or ingestion	Greek φαγία (phagía) eating < φᾰγεῖν (phageîn), to eat	Sarcophagia
-phago-	eating, devouring	Greek -φᾰ́γος (-phágos), eater of, eating	phagocyte
phagist-	Forms nouns that denote a person who 'feeds on' the first element or part of the word	Greek φαγιστής (phagistḗs) eater; see -phagia	Lotophagi
-phagy	Forms nouns that denotes 'feeding on' the first element or part of the word	Greek φαγία (phagia) eating; see -phagia	hematophagy
phall-	phallus	Greek φαλλός (phallós), penis	Aphallia
pharmac-	drug, medication	Greek φάρμᾰκον (phármakon), witchcraft, drug	pharmacology
pharyng-	of or pertaining to the pharynx, the upper throat cavity	Greek φᾰ́ρῠγξ, φαρυγγ- (phárunx, pharung-), throat, windpipe; chasm	pharyngitis, pharyngoscopy
-phil(ia)	attraction for	Greek φῐλῐ́ᾱ (philíā), friendship, love, affection	hemophilia
phleb-	of or pertaining to the (blood) veins, a vein	Greek φλέψ, φλεβ- (phléps, phleb-), blood-vessel, vein	phlebography, phlebotomy
-phobia	exaggerated fear, sensitivity, aversion	Greek φόβος (phóbos), terror, fear, flight, panic	arachnophobia
phon-	sound	Greek φωνή (phōnḗ)	phonograph, symphony
phos-	of or pertaining to light or its chemical properties, now historic and used rarely. See the common root phot- below.	Greek φῶς, φᾰ́ος, φωτ- (phôs, pháos), light	phosphene
phot-	of or pertaining to light	Greek φωτω- (phōtō-), < φῶς (phôs), light	photopathy
phren-, phrenic-	the mind	Greek φρήν (phrḗn), intellect, wits, mind	phrenic nerve, schizophrenia
phyllo-	leaf-like	Greek φῠ́λλον (phúllon), leaf, foliage, plant	phyllodes tumour, phyllotaxis
-phyte, phyto-	to grow	Greek φῠτόν (phutón), plant, tree	hydrophyte
pia	soft	Medieval Latin pia mater, tender mother, from Latin pia, pius, pious, dutiful, good	pia mater
piri-	Pear	Latin pirum, cognate with Greek ἄπιον (ápion), pear	Piriformis muscle
-plasia	formation, development	Greek πλᾰ́σῐς (plásis), moulding, conformation	Achondroplasia
-plasty	surgical repair, reconstruction	Greek πλαστός (plastós), molded, formed	rhinoplasty
-plegia	paralysis	Greek πληγή (plēgḗ), stroke (from a sword), from πληγή (plēgḗ), to strike or smite	paraplegia
pleio-	more, excessive, multiple	Greek πλεῖον (pleîon), more	pleiomorphism
pleur-	of or pertaining to the ribs	Greek πλευρᾱ́ (pleurā́), rib, side of the body	Pleurogenous
-plexy	stroke or seizure	Greek πλήσσω, πλήσσειν (plḗssō, plḗssein), to strike or smite	Cataplexy
pne-, pneum-	air, breath, lung	Greek πνεῖν (pneîn), πνεῦμα, πνεύματος (pneûma, pneúmatos), πνεύμων (pneúmōn)	apnea, pneumatology, pneumonocyte, pneumonia
pod-, -pod-, -pus	of or pertaining to the foot, -footed	Greek πούς, ποδ- (poús, pod-), foot	podiatry
-poiesis	production	Greek ποίησις (poíēsis), poetry, poem, creation	hematopoiesis
polio-	having a grey color	Greek πολῐός (poliós), grey, grizzled	poliomyelitis
poly-	denotes a 'plurality' of something	Greek πολῠ́ς (polús), many, a lot of, large, great	polymyositis
por-	pore, porous	Greek πόρος (póros), passage, passageway	pore
porphyr-	denotes a purple color	Greek πορφύρα (porphúra), Tyrian purple, royal purple	porphyroblast
post-	denotes something as 'after (time)' or 'behind (space)' another	Latin post, after, behind	postoperation, postmortem
pre-	denotes something as 'before' another (in [physical] position or time)	Middle English pre-, from Medieval Latin pre- < (Classical) Latin prae-, before, in front of	premature birth
presby-	old age	Greek πρέσβυς (présbus), old man, elder	presbyopia, presbycusis
prim-	denotes something as 'first' or 'most-important'	Latin prīmus, first, most important	primary
pro-	denotes something as 'before' another (in [physical] position or time)	Greek πρό- (pró-), before, in front of	procephalic
proct-	anus, rectum	Greek πρωκτός (prōktós), anus	proctology
prosop-	face	Greek πρόσωπον (prósōpon), face, visage, mask	prosopagnosia
prot-	denotes something as 'first' or 'most important'	Greek πρωτος (prōtos), first; principal, most important	protoneuron
pseud-	denotes something false or fake	Greek ψεύδω (pseúdō), to lie or deceive	pseudoephedrine
psor-	Itching	Greek ψώρα (psṓra), itch, mange, scurvy	psoriasis
psych-	of or pertaining to the mind	Greek ψυχή (psukhḗ), breath, life, soul	psychology, psychiatry
ptero-, ptery-	Pertaining to a wing; 'pterygo-', wing-shaped	Greek πτερόν (pterón), wing, feather	lateral pterygoid plate
-ptosis	falling, drooping, downward placement, prolapse	Greek πτῶσῐς (ptôsis), falling	apoptosis, nephroptosis
-ptyal-, ptyalo	saliva, salivary glands, sialaden		ptyalolithiasis
-ptysis	spitting	Greek πτῡ́ω (ptū́ō), to spit up, disgorge; + -σις (-sis), added to verb stems to form abstract nouns or nouns of action, result or process	hemoptysis, the spitting of blood derived from the lungs or bronchial tubes
pulmon-, pulmo-	of or relating to the lungs	Latin pulmō, a lung	pulmonary
py-	pus	Greek πύον (púon	pyometra
pyel-	pelvis	Greek πύελος (púelos), pelvis, wash basin	pyelonephritis
pykno-	to thicken (as the nucleus does in early stages of cell death)	Greek πύκνωσις (púknōsis), thickening	pyknosis
pylor-	gate	Greek πυλωρός (pulōrós), gate keeper; lower orifice of the stomach	pyloric sphincter
pyr-	fever	Greek πῦρ, πυρετός (pûr, puretós), fire, heat, fever	antipyretic

Q–R

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
quadr(i)-	four	Latin quattuor	quadriceps
radi-	radiation	Latin radiō, I radiate, emit beams; from radius, ray of light, spoke of a wheel	radiowave
radic-	referring to the beginning, or the root, of a structure, usually a nerve or a vein	Latin rādīx, root	radiculopathy
re-	again, back	Latin re-	relapse
rect-	rectum	abbr. of New Latin rectum intestinum ('straight intestine') < Latin rēctus, straight	rectal, rectum, rectus femoris
ren(o)	of or pertaining to the kidney	Latin rēn, rēnes, kidney	renal
reticul(o)-	net	Latin rēticulum	reticulocyte
retro-	backward, behind	Latin retro	retroversion, retroverted
rhabd(o)-	rod shaped, striated	Greek ῥᾰ́βδος (rhábdos), wand, stick, stripe	rhabdomyolysis
rhachi(o)-	spine	Greek ῥάχις (rhákhis), spine or backbone	rachial, rachialgia, rachidian, rachiopathy
rhin(o)-	of or pertaining to the nose	Greek ῥίς, ῥῑνο- (rhís, rhīno-), nose	rhinoceros, rhinoplasty
rhod(o)-	denoting a rose-red color	Greek ῥόδον (rhódon), rose	rhodophyte
-rrhage, -rrhagia	burst forth, rapid flow (of blood, usually)	Greek -ραγία (-ragía), to break, to burst	hemorrhage, menorrhagia
-rrhaphy	surgical suturing	Greek ῥαφή (rhaphḗ)	hymenorrhaphy, neurorrhaphy
-rrhea (AmE)	flowing, discharge	Greek ῥοίᾱ (rhoíā), flow, flux	galactorrhea, diarrhea
-rrhexis	rupture	Greek ῥῆξῐς (rhêxis), breaking, bursting, discharge	karyorrhexis
-rrhoea (BrE)	flowing, discharge	Greek ῥοίᾱ (rhoíā), flow, flux	diarrhoea
rubr(o)-	of or pertaining to the red nucleus of the brain	Latin ruber, red	rubrospinal
-rupt	break or burst	Latin rumpō	erupt, interrupt

S

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
salping(o)-	of or pertaining to tubes, e.g. fallopian tubes	Greek σᾰ́λπῐγξ, σαλπιγγ-, (sálpinx, salping-), trumpet	salpingectomy, salpingopharyngeus muscle
sangui-, sanguine-	of or pertaining to blood	Latin sanguis, blood	sanguine
sapro-	relating to putrefaction or decay	Greek σαπρός (saprós), rotten, putrid	saprogenic
sarco-	muscular, flesh-like	Greek σάρξ (sárx), flesh	sarcoma, sarcoidosis
scapul(o)-	of or pertaining to the scapula	Latin (scapula), shoulder	scapulothoracic, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
schist(o)-	split, cleft	Greek σχῐστός (skhistós), cloven, divided	schistocyte
schiz(o)-	denoting something "split" or "double-sided"	Greek σχῐ́ζω (skhízō), I split, cleave, part; irregular formation of the verb σχῐ́ζειν (skhízein), to cut, split	schizophrenia
scler(o)-	hard	Greek σκληρός (sklērós)	scleroderma
-sclerosis	hardening	Greek σκληρός (sklērós), hard, harden; + -σῐς (-sis), added to verb stems to form abstract nouns or nouns of action, result or process	atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis
scoli(o)-	twisted	Greek σκολιός (skoliós), curved, bent	scoliosis
-scope	instrument for viewing	Greek σκόπος (skópos), watcher	stethoscope
-scopy	process of viewing	Greek σκοπέω (skopéō), to look at, behold, examine	endoscopy
scoto-	darkness	Greek σκότος (skótos)	scotopic vision
semi-	one-half, partly	Latin semi-	semiconscious
sial(o)-	saliva, salivary gland	Latin salīva, saliva.	sialagogue
sigmoid(o)-	sigmoid, S-shaped curvature	Greek σιγμοειδής (sigmoeidḗs), crescent-shaped, lunate sigma-shaped	sigmoid colon
sinistr(o)-	left, left side	Latin sinister	sinistrocardia
sinus-	of or pertaining to the sinus	Latin sinus, a curve, bend, hollow cavity, bosom	sinusitis
sito-	food, grain	Greek σῖτος (sîtos)	sitophobia
somat(o)-, somatico-	body, bodily	Greek σῶμα (sôma)	somatic
somn(o)	Sleep	Latin somnus, sleep, drowsiness	insomniac
-spadias	slit, fissure	Greek σπάω (spáō), break, split	hypospadias, epispadias
spasmo-	spasm	Greek σπασμός (spasmós)	Spasmodic dysphonia
sperma-, spermo-, spermato-	semen, spermatozoa	Greek σπέρμα (spérma), seed, semen	spermatogenesis
splanchn(i)-, splanchn(o)-	viscera	Greek σπλᾰ́γχνον (splánkhnon), bowels, guts	splanchnology
splen(o)-	spleen	Greek σπλήν, σπλην- (splḗn, splēn-), spleen, milt	splenectomy
spondyl(o)-	of or pertaining to the spine, the vertebra	Greek σφόνδῠλος / σπόνδυλος (sphóndulos, spóndulos), the spine	spondylitis
squamos(o)-	denoting something as "full of scales" or "scaly"	Latin squāmōsus, full of scales, scaly	squamous cell
-stalsis	contraction	Greek στέλλω (stéllō), I dispatch, place, set	peristalsis
-stasis	stopping, standing	Greek στᾰ́σῐς (stásis), to stand, place, set	cytostasis, homeostasis
-statin	maintain cholesterol	Latin (stare), to remain or instill	Statin
-staxis	dripping, trickling	Greek στάζω, στακτός (stázō, staktós), drip, leak, trickle	epistaxis
sten(o)-	denoting something as narrow in shape or pertaining to narrowness	Greek στενός (stenós), narrow, short	stenography
-stenosis	abnormal narrowing of a blood vessel or other tubular organ or structure	Greek στενός (stenós), narrow, short; + -σῐς (-sis), added to verb stems to form abstract nouns or nouns of action, result or process	restenosis, stenosis
steth-	of or pertaining to the upper chest, the area above the breast and under the neck	Greek στῆθος (stêthos), chest, cuirass	stethoscope
stheno-	strength, force, power	Greek σθένος (sthénos)
stom-, stomat-	of or pertaining to the mouth; an artificially created opening	Greek στόμᾰ, στοματ- (stóma, stomat-), mouth	stomatogastric, stomatognathic system
-stomy	creation of an opening	New Latin stoma, opening; from Greek στόμᾰ (stóma)	colostomy
sub-	beneath, under	Latin sub	subcutaneous tissue
super-	in excess, above, superior	Latin super	superior vena cava
supra-	above, excessive	Latin supra	supraorbital vein
sy, syl-, sym-, syn-, sys-	indicates similarity, likeness, or being together; assimilates before some consonants: before l to syl-, s to sys-, before a labial consonant to sym-	Greek σῠν- (sun-), with, together	symptom, synalgia, synesthesia, syssarcosis

T

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
tachy-	denoting something as fast, irregularly fast	Greek τᾰχῠ́ς (takhús), fast, quickly	tachycardia, tachypnea
-tension, -tensive	pressure	Latin tēnsiō, stretching, extension, tension	hypertension
terato-	Monster	Greek τέρᾰς (téras)	teratoma, teratogen
tetan-	rigid, tense	Greek τέτανος (tétanos)	tetanus
thec-	case, sheath	Greek θήκη (thḗkē)	intrathecal
thel-	of or pertaining to a nipple (uncommon as a prefix)	Greek θηλή (thēlḗ), a teat, nipple	Theleplasty, thelarche
thely-	denoting something as relating to a woman, feminine	Greek θῆλῠς (thêlus), female, feminine	Thelygenous
therap-	treatment	Greek θερᾰπείᾱ (therapeíā)	hydrotherapy, therapeutic
therm(o)-	heat	Greek θερμός (thermós)	hypothermia, thermoregulation
thorac(i)-, thorac(o)-, thoracico-	of or pertaining to the upper chest, chest; the area above the breast and under the neck	Latin thōrāx < Greek θώρᾱξ (thṓrāx), chest, cuirass	thoracic spine, thorax
thromb(o)-	of or relating to a blood clot, clotting of blood	Greek θρόμβος (thrómbos), lump, piece, clot of blood	thrombus, thrombocytopenia
thyr(o)-	thyroid	Greek θῠρεός (thureós), large oblong shield; + εἶδος (eîdos), a form or shape
thym-	emotions	Greek θῡμός (thūmós), spirit, soul; courage; breath, mind, emotions	dysthymia
-tic	pertaining to	Greek -τῐκός (-tikós), adjective-forming suffix denoting: relating to, able to, suited to
-tide	bound to, forming a noun from an adjective by dropping -ic and adding -tide.	Greek - πεπτός (- peptós), adjective-forming suffix denoting: bound to, relating to, able to, suited to	Glycopeptide Nucleotide Peptide
toco-	childbirth	Greek τόκος (tókos)	tocolytic, dystocia
-tome	cutting instrument	Greek τομή (tomḗ), intersection	osteotome
-tomy	act of cutting; incising, incision	Greek τομία (-tomía)	Gastrotomy, Phlebotomy
ton-	tone, tension, pressure	Greek τόνος (tónos), rope, cord; tension	Tonicity, Isotonic saline
-tony	tension	Greek -τονία (-tonía)	Hypotonia
top(o)-	place, topical	Greek τόπος (tópos)	Topical anesthetic
tort(i)-	twisted	Latin tortus	Torticollis, Testicular torsion
tox(i)-, tox(o)-, toxic(o)-	toxin, poison	Greek τοξικόν (toxikón), bow (archery), bow-related; from Greek τοξικόν φάρμᾰκον (toxikón phármakon), poison for smearing arrows with	Toxoplasmosis, Toxidrome
trache(a)-	trachea	Greek τραχεῖα (trakheîa), windpipe	Tracheotomy
trachel(o)-	of or pertaining to the neck	Greek τρᾰ́χηλος (trákhēlos), neck	Tracheloplasty
trans-	denoting something as moving or situated across or through	Latin trāns, across, through	Transfusion
tri-	three	Latin tri-	Triceps, Trisomy
trich(i)-, trichia, trich(o)-	of or pertaining to hair, hair-like structure	Greek θρῐ́ξ (thríx), hair	Trichocyst
-tripsy	crushing	Greek τρῖψις (trípsis), rubbing, friction	Lithotripsy
-trophy	nourishment, development	Greek τροφή (trophḗ), food, nourishment	Pseudohypertrophy
-trop	turned toward, with an orientation toward, having an affinity for, affecting	Greek τρόπος (trópos), a turn, way, manner, style	Geotropic, Phototropic
tympan(o)-	eardrum	Greek τῠ́μπᾰνον (túmpanon), drum, eardrum	Tympanocentesis, Tensor tympani

U

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
-ula, -ule	small	Latin	Nodule
ultra-	beyond, excessive	Latin ultra	ultrasound, ultraviolet
umbilic-	of or pertaining to the navel, the umbilicus	Latin umbilīcus, navel, belly-button	umbilical
ungui-	of or pertaining to the nail, a claw	Latin unguis, nail, claw	unguiform, ungual
un(i)-	one	Latin ūnus	unilateral hearing loss
ur-	of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system	Greek οὐρέω, οὐρεῖν (ouréō, oureîn); οὖρον (oûron), urine	antidiuretic, diuresis, diuretic, dysuria, enuresis, polyurea, polyuria, uraemia/uremia, uremic, ureter, urethra, urology
urin-	of or pertaining to urine, the urinary system	Latin ūrīna, urine < Greek οὖρον (oûron), see ur- above.	uriniferous
uter(o)-	of or pertaining to the uterus or womb	Latin uterus, womb, uterus	uterus

V

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
vagin-	of or pertaining to the vagina	Latin vāgīna, sheath, scabbard; vagina	vaginal epithelium
varic(o)-	swollen or twisted vein	Latin varix	varicose, esophageal varices
vas(o)-	duct, blood vessel	Latin vās, vessel, dish, vase	vasoconstriction
vasculo-	blood vessel	Latin vāsculum	cardiovascular
ven-	of or pertaining to the veins, venous blood, and the vascular system	Latin vēna, blood-vessel, vein	venule, venospasm
ventr(o)-	of or pertaining to the belly, the stomach cavities	Latin venter, belly, stomach, womb	ventrodorsal
ventricul(o)-	of or pertaining to the ventricles; any hollow region inside an organ	Latin ventriculus, the ventricles of the heart, the ventricles of the brain	cardiac ventriculography, atrioventricular node
-version	turning	Latin versiō	anteversion, retroversion
vesic(o)-	of or pertaining to the bladder	Latin vēsīca, bladder, blister	vesical arteries
viscer(o)-	of or pertaining to the internal organs, the viscera	Latin viscus (pl. viscera), internal organ(s)	viscera

X–Z

Affix	Meaning	Origin language and etymology	Example(s)
xanth(o)-	having a yellow color, especially an abnormally yellow color	Greek ξᾰνθός (xanthós), yellow	xanthopathy xanthelasma
xen(o)-	foreign, different	Greek ξένος (xénos), foreign, stranger	xenograft
xer(o)-	dry, desert-like	Greek ξηρός (xērós), dry	xerostomia, xeroderma
xiph-	sword	Greek ξῐ́φος (xíphos), sword	xiphisternum, xiphoid, xiphoidalgia
-y	condition or process of	Latin -ia, from Greek -ῐ́ᾱ, -ειᾰ (-íā, -eia), suffixes used to form abstract nouns	surgery
ze-	boil	Greek ζέω (zéō), to boil, seethe, bubble	eczema
zo(o)-	animal, animal life	Greek ζῷον (zôion)	zoology
zym(o)-	fermentation	Greek ζύμη (zúmē), leaven, yeast	enzyme, lysozyme

English meanings

This section contains lists of different root classification (e.g. body components, quantity, description, etc.). Each list is alphabetized by English meanings, with the corresponding Greek and Latin roots given.

Roots of the body

Roots of bodily concepts

Bodily concept	Greek root in English	Latin root in English	Other root in English
digestion	-pepsia	–	–
disease	-pathy	–	–
eating	-phagia	-vory	–

Body parts and substances

Body part or component	Greek root in English	Latin root in English	Other root in English
abdomen	lapar-	abdomin-	–
aorta	aort-	–	–
arm	brachi-	arm-	–
armpit	maschal-	axill-	–
artery	arteri-	–	–
back	not-	dors-	–
big toe	–	allic-, hallic-	–
bladder	cyst-	vesic-	–
blood	haem(at)- (Br. English); hem(at)- (Am. English)	sangui-, sanguin-	–
blood clot	thromb-	–	–
blood vessel	angi-	vas-, vascul-	–
body	soma-, somat-	corpor-	–
bone	oste-	ossi-	–
bone marrow, marrow	myel-	medull-	–
brain	encephal-	cerebr-	–
breast	mast-	mamm-	–
chest	steth-	pector-	–
cheek	parei-	bucc-	–
ear	ot(o)-	aur(i)-	–
eggs, ova	oo-	ov-	–
eye	ophthalm(o)-	ocul(o)-	optic(o)- (French)
eyelid	blephar(o)-	cili-, palpebr-	–
face	prosop(o)-	faci(o)-	–
fallopian tubes	salping(o)-	–	–
fat, fatty tissue	lip(o)-	adip-	–
finger	dactyl(o)-	digit-	–
forehead	–	front(o)-	–
gallbladder	cholecyst(o)-	fell-	–
genitals, sexually undifferentiated	gon(o)-, phall(o)-	–	–
gland	aden(o)-	–	–
glans penis or clitoridis	balan(o)-	–	–
gums	–	gingiv-	–
hair	trich(o)-	capill-	–
hands	cheir(o)-, chir(o)-	manu-	–
head	cephal(o)-	capit(o)-	–
heart	cardi(o)-	cordi-	–
hip, hip-joint	–	cox-	–
horn	cerat(o)-	cornu-	–
intestine	enter(o)-	–	–
jaw	gnath(o)-	–	–
kidney	nephr(o)-	ren-	–
knee	gon-	genu-	–
lip	cheil(o)-, chil(o)-	labi(o)-	–
liver	hepat(o)-	jecor-	–
loins, pubic region	episi(o)-	pudend-	–
lungs	pneumon-	pulmon(i)-, (pulmo-)	–
marrow, bone marrow	myel(o)-	medull-	–
mind	psych-	ment-	–
mouth	stomat(o)-	or-	–
muscle	my(o)-	–	–
nail	onych(o)-	ungui-	–
navel	omphal(o)-	umbilic-	–
neck	trachel(o)-	cervic-	–
nerve; the nervous system	neur(o)-	nerv-	–
nipple, teat	thele-	papill-, mammill-	–
nose	rhin(o)-	nas-	–
ovary	oophor(o)-	ovari(o)-	–
pelvis	pyel(o)-	pelv(i)-	–
penis	pe(o)-	–	–
pupil (of the eye)	cor-, core-, coro-	–	–
rib	pleur(o)-	cost(o)-	–
rib cage	thorac(i)-, thorac(o)-	–	–
shoulder	om(o)-	(o)-	–
sinus	–	sinus-	–
skin	derm-, dermat(o)-	cut-, cuticul-	–
skull	crani(o)-	–	–
stomach	gastr(o)-	ventr(o)-	–
testis	orchi(o)-, orchid(o)-	–	–
throat (upper throat cavity)	pharyng(o)-	–	–
throat (lower throat cavity/voice box)	laryng(o)-	–	–
thumb	–	pollic-	–
tooth	odont(o)-	dent(i)-	–
tongue	gloss-, glott-	lingu(a)-	–
toe	dactyl(o)-	digit-	–
tumour	cel-, onc(o)-	tum-	–
ureter	ureter(o)-	ureter(o)-	–
urethra	urethr(o)-, urethr(a)-	urethr(o)-, urethr(a)-	–
urine, urinary system	ur(o)-	urin(o)-	–
uterine tubes	salping(o)-	salping(o)-	–
uterus	hyster(o)-, metr(o)-	uter(o)-	–
vagina	colp(o)-	vagin-	–
vein	phleb(o)-	ven-	–
vulva	episi(o)-	vulv-	–
womb	hyster(o)-, metr(o)-	uter(o)-	–
wrist	carp(o)-	carp(o)-	–

Roots of color

Color	Greek root in English	Latin root in English	Other root in English
black	melan-	atr-, nigr-	–
blue	cyan-	cerule-	–
gold	chrys-	aur-	–
gray, grey	poli-	can-	–
green	chlor-	vir-	–
purple	porphyr-	purpur-, purpureo-	–
red	erythr-, rhod-	rub-, rubr-, ruf-	–
red-orange	cirrh-	–	–
silver	–	argent-	–
white	leuc-, leuk-	alb-, cand-	–
yellow	xanth-	flav-	jaun- (French)

Roots of description

Description	Greek root in English	Latin root in English	Other root in English
bad, incorrect	cac-, dys-	mal-	mis-
bent, crooked	ankyl-	prav-	–
big	mega-, megal(o)-	magn(i)-	–
biggest	megist-	maxim-	–
broad, wide	eury-	lat(i)-	–
cold	cry(o)-	frig(i)-	–
dead	necr(o)-	mort-	–
equal	is(o)-	equ(i)-	–
false	pseud(o)-	fals(i)-	–
fast	tachy-	celer-	–
female, feminine	thely-	–	–
flat	platy-	plan(i)-	–
good, well	eu-	ben(e)-, bon(i)-	–
great	mega-, megal(o)-	magn(i)-	–
hard	scler(o)-	dur(i)-	–
heavy	bar(o)-	grav(i)-	–
hollow	coel(o)-	cav(i)-	–
huge	megal(o)-	magn(i)-	–
irregular	poikil(o)	–	–
large; extremely large	mega-	magn(i)-	–
largest	megist-	maxim-	–
long	macr(o)-	long(i)-	–
male, masculine	arseno-	vir-	–
narrow	sten(o)-	angust(i)-	–
new	ne(o)-	nov(i)-	–
normal, correct	orth(o)-	rect(i)-	–
old	paleo-	veter-	–
sharp	oxy-	ac-	–
short	brachy-	brev(i)-	–
small	micr(o)-	parv(i)- (rare)	–
smallest	–	minim-	–
slow	brady-	tard(i)-	–
soft	malac(o)-	moll(i)-	–
straight	orth(o)-	rect(i)-	–
thick	pachy-	crass(i)-	–
varied, various	poikilo-	vari-	–

Roots of position

Description	Greek root in English	Latin root in English	Other root in English
around, surrounding	peri-	circum-	–
internal, within	endo-	intra-	–
left	levo-	laev-, sinistr-	–
middle	meso-, mes-	medi-	–
right	dexi-	dex-, dextr-, dextro-	–

Prefixes of quantity or amount

Description	Greek root in English	Latin root in English	Other root in English
double	diplo-	dupli-	–
equal	iso-	equi-	–
few	oligo-	pauci-	–
half	hemi-	semi-	demi- (French)
many, much	poly-	multi-	–
twice	dis-	bis-	–

See also

• Glossary of medicine
• Classical compound
• International scientific vocabulary
• List of medical abbreviations
• Medical dictionary
• Medicine
• List of commonly used taxonomic affixes

External links

• "Root Words & Prefixes: Quick Reference." LearnThatWord. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 March 2013.